European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection inside ICU. The aim of the present study was to assess the Relation between levels of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as markers with severity of sepsis and septic shock.
Patients and methods: This observational study was involved 60 patients who diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock and admitted to Surgical intensive care unit, Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were estimated in the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th ICU day. APACHE II as well as SOFA Scores were estimated on ICU admission.
Results: Patients were classified according to the need for mechanical ventilation (MV group and non-MV group), CRP showed no significant difference between the two groups on the first day (100.51 and 83.21 mg/dl respectively- p=0.108). The remaining readings showed a significant rise in the patients that needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Serum PCT levels showed a significant rise in the MV group throughout the all study readings (p < 0.001). Likewise, SOFA score recordings were significantly higher in the MV patients (p < 0.001). On assessment of the predictors for vasopressor need, the highest sensitivity was reported for 3rd day CRP (84.1% - cut off = 62.01 mg/dl), and 5^th  day PCT (84.1% - cutoff = 0.505 ng/ml). Slight decrease in sensitivity (81.8%) was reported with the application of 1st day PCT and 3rd day SOFA.
Conclusion: PCT and CRP can be used as a  prognostic markers for evaluating the prognosis of patients with sepsis and septic shock.regarding need for vasopressors the highest sensitivity was reported for 3^rd day CRP and fifth day PCT, however the length of stay was found to be highly correlated with 3^rd day PCT, also 1^st day PCT value was better to Predict need for Mechanical ventilation.